Mbappe Matches Raul’s Champions League Tally in Real Madrid Win Over Inter
Real Madrid beat Inter 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe’s 71st Champions League goal lifting him alongside Raul in joint-fifth on the competition’s all-time scoring list.
Mbappe reaches Raul landmark in Madrid win
The France captain put Madrid ahead in the 14th minute, finishing from inside the penalty area after the home side made their early pressure count.
His goal came in his 99th Champions League appearance and took the 27-year-old to 71 in the tournament. Raul needed 142 matches to reach the same total.
- Cristiano Ronaldo remains first in the Champions League scoring rankings with 140 goals.
- Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema are the only other players ahead of Mbappe and Raul.
- Mbappe is now joint-fifth in the competition’s all-time list.
Inter error gives Madrid control
Madrid struck again nine minutes after the opener when Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez was caught in possession. Benjamin Pavard’s back pass put Martinez under pressure, and Federico Valverde pounced to roll the ball into the net.
Inter had begun brightly and Thibaut Courtois, making his 100th Champions League outing, produced important early stops against Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez.
Martinez recovered from the costly mistake before the interval, producing a double save to deny Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. Inter also saw the woodwork intervene as Madrid searched for another goal.
Late Augusto goal raises pressure
The visitors remained dangerous after the break, with former Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones hitting the crossbar. Bellingham then passed up a major chance to make it 3-0 for Madrid.
Inter finally found a way through in the 77th minute when Carlos Augusto drove home, setting up a tense finish. Mourinho’s side held firm, however, to secure all three points against his former club.
What happens next
Madrid now return to La Liga duty with Rayo Vallecano their next opponents.
Inter, the Italian champions, will attempt to respond in Serie A when they face Udinese.
